Legacies of Lonnie Mack, Herbie Smith Live on With New Signage in Aurora

Signs depicting Mack's famous Flying V guitar and Smith's athletic accomplishment's can be seen at five different locations.

Photo by Travis Thayer. 

(Aurora, Ind.) - The City of Aurora today honored two individuals who have made a great impact on the city. 

The legacies left by the late Lonnie Mack and late Herbie Smith will be remembered with new signage at five entry points to the city. 

Mack's tribute comes in the form of the famous Flying V guitar, while Smith's signage recognizes his undefeated season and current track & field records at South Dearborn High School. 

Mack was closely identified with the distinctive-looking Gibson Flying V guitar that first appeared in 1958. He was 17 years old when he bought the seventh Flying V off the first-year production line, naming it “Number 7”. He would play that very guitar almost exclusively throughout his illustrious career that spanned almost six decades.

A guitarist and singer-songwriter, Mack was known for his impassioned, fast-picking style, and was influential in the development of blues rock music and rock guitar soloing.

Shortly before his birth in 1941, his family moved from eastern Kentucky to Dearborn County, where he was raised. 

Mack passed away from natural causes on April 21, 2016, at the age of 74. He is buried in Aurora, not far from one of the new Flying V signs.

His daughter, Holly, tells Eagle Country 99.3 that she believes her dad was smiling down from heaven today as the tribute sign was unveiled.

“We are extremely happy with the sign, which is a great honor of dad. He would be very proud. We want to thank Mayor Mark Drury and the City of Aurora for making this happen,” said Holly.

Herbie Smith, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 49, is one of the top athletes to every step foot in South Dearborn High School. Smith is Dearborn County’s first-ever 100-meter champion, winning the regional his senior season with a time of 11.19 seconds.

At the time, he broke the regional 100 dash record of 11.21 seconds, which was set by Franklin County High School’s Alex Smith, who later went on to play football at Indiana University.

Herbie ran even faster earlier in the year, posting a time of 11.06 at the East Central Invitational. That time continues to be the fastest 100 meter dash in South Dearborn High School history. He also continues to hold the 200 meter dash school record with a time of 22.70.

The signage pictured above can be found at Lesko Park along State Road 56. 

"We are going to continue this tradition from time to time by honoring different people that have made an impact here in the City of Aurora," said Mayor Mark Drury. 

Tuesday's ceremony can be viewed below.